Wedding Photography at Villa Monastero.
A Lake Como Elopement Venue
Hanni and Michi chose a Villa Monastero elopement on the shore of Lake Como. Villa Monastero is a historic villa in Varenna. The villa began life as a Cistercian nunnery in the 12th century, before becoming a private residence and later a botanical garden open to the public. Its lakeside terraces and centuries-old gardens make it one of the most beautiful elopement settings I have ever photographed. Here is how their day unfolded.
Arriving at Villa Monastero
Villa Monastero sits right on the water in Varenna, with a grand staircase leading down to the lake itself. Because the villa is a public botanical garden and museum, access for photography has to be booked in advance as a paid pass rather than arranged as a private hire. We booked the pass that gives an hour of photography access alongside the public opening hours, which cost 300 euros, and the Villa Monastero team were incredibly helpful throughout the booking process. We stayed at Villa Cipressi, literally next door, which made the whole day feel wonderfully easy.
Portraits Through the Gardens
Villa Monastero’s gardens stretch for almost two kilometres along the lakefront. Every corner offered a different backdrop, from twisted stone columns to sweeping stone balustrades. We wandered slowly between them, chasing the best light. Meanwhile, the lake itself never left the frame for long. We were there during wisteria season, which made the gardens even more beautiful, and the crowds were still manageable — a weekday visit definitely helped.
Golden Hour on the Water
As the afternoon wore on, the light over Lake Como turned soft and golden. Hanni and Michi returned to the lakeside terrace for one final set of portraits. In fact, this was my favourite part of the whole day. Villa Monastero faces west across the lake, so the sun sets directly behind the mountains on the far shore, dropping sooner than you would expect from the official sunset time. We had chosen a sunset slot, which in April worked out to around 7.30pm, timed deliberately ahead of the usual golden hour so we would not miss the light. The mountains across the water caught the last of the sun, and neither of them wanted the moment to end.
A Perfect Villa Monastero Elopement
Eloping meant they could slow down and simply enjoy being together, without a long guest list to manage. If their day has inspired you to consider Villa Monastero for your own elopement, take a look at my Villa Monastero venue guide for more information. You can also browse my portfolio for further examples of my work, or get in touch to check my availability for your date.
As a Wedding Photographer, This Is Why You Should Choose Villa Monastero
Villa Monastero sits on the shore of Lake Como in Varenna, with a botanical garden that stretches for about two kilometres along the water. Lakeside terraces, a loggia and a garden that changes at every turn give you an enormous number of beautiful places for photographs.
The villa offers symbolic ceremonies in the Loggia, the neoclassical temple or the Sala Polvani and receptions can be held under a garden structure from April to October. Legal civil ceremonies in Italy follow their own rules, so speak to the villa and a local planner early.
Why Choose Megan Maxwell as Your Wedding Photographer
People should choose me as their Villa Monastero wedding photographer because I know how to tell a story. After fifteen years as a television director and writer at the BBC, I bring a documentary approach to wedding photography, with an eye for the moments, relationships and little details that make your day yours. Hanni and Michi chose an elopement on the shore of Lake Como.
My style is mostly documentary. I will be in the background for most of the day, catching the hugs, the happy tears, the questionable dance moves and all the unexpected things that happen around you. With the lakefront garden and the loggia there is plenty to photograph. You get to spend your wedding day with your favourite people instead of thinking about where the photographer is or what you should be doing.
Photographs of the two of you looking incredible matter too. We will usually take about twenty minutes for a wander together around the lakefront garden, with gentle direction whenever it is useful. You do not need to be a natural in front of the camera or know how to pose. Leave that to me.
Beautiful and meaningful matter equally to me. I make images full of life, personality and rich colour that capture not just what your wedding looked like but how it felt to be there.
What I want most is for you to have a collection of photographs that tells the whole story. The big moments, the little moments and the people you love, plus all the things you might otherwise have missed. Photographs to enjoy now and treasure for years to come.
Every collection includes full day coverage with no set hours, travel is included and your previews arrive within 48 hours.
Are you getting married at Villa Monastero? Take a look at my portfolio, read more about me or get in touch. You can also message me on WhatsApp.
